MISSIONTECH
“… technology with a mission”
Identity
The MissionTech Team is a group of Youth With A Mission Tyler staff missionaries who have answered the call of the Great Commission and have committed their time and talents of technology skills to the completion of this great task. These skills include programming, computer networking, project management, server management, database design, technical support, and a host of other areas that support the calling of YWAM Tyler. We desire to hear God’s voice and obey Him and through that process, bring innovation and technology solutions to further God’s Kingdom and complement the many other roles in missions.
Our identity is not in what we do, but in the One we serve.
Unity
Through the years, we have had team members from many nations serve in this area. Some have served with us for many years. Others have served for a shorter time and then have been sent out to obey God all in other locations. Some have volunteered for weeks or months. Others have joined fresh out of their YWAM training schools as they begin their lifetime calling to missions. Some have been young and some…not so young. But, all have contributed to the mission endeavors through the unique and often overlooked role of technology in missions. Our team efforts to maintain accurate information which facilitates clear communication contribute to the unity of purpose of the mission.
Paul says it well in the first chapter of Ephesians: “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Focus
MissionTech provides the technology infrastructure for one of YWAM’s largest missions training centers — YWAM Tyler. Located in East Texas on a 500 acre ranch, the team serves the 200 staff and ongoing flow of training students in their technology needs and preparations for reaching out to the United States and the nations of the world. This infrastructure allows the areas of ministry and logistics — web design, donation processing, outreach coordination, video production, training, performing arts, food services, worship, operations coordination, construction — to have the technology resources they need to operate effectively and efficiently. For example, we were able to reduce the number of Accounting staff needed to process ministry contributions (for over 1700 missionaries around the world!) by at least half and even double the amount of contributions processed by designing and implementing a custom database system. This serves both the missionary and the donor and, most importantly, God’s kingdom with efficient processes that provide effective stewardship of kingdom funds.
We believe that technology is one of the means that God is using to bring laborers into the harvest fields. As we know, the fields are ready for harvest and Jesus commanded us to pray for laborers. Through our obedience to Him as we pray, we are applying God’s creative and innovative solutions to facilitate the mobilization and training of short and long-term missionaries.
Our focus is to complete the Great Commission by knowing God and making Him known.
Faith
We don’t, however, believe that MissionTech is just a means to an end or that information technology is just a way to serve the “more spiritual” dimensions of missions. We believe that God wants to speak and give solutions to technical problems in a way that doesn’t just automate our lives but applies our faith in Him to affect all dimensions of life…relationships, resources, and responsibilities. We believe that God speaks and works through us to train, evangelize, and extend mercy through real-world situations.
- In the ever changing world of technology, we need to hear God in decisions large and small and to train and teach others to do the same. Discipleship is to be applied in navigating the challenges of unreached peoples and far-off places as well as the challenges of the Internet and the cultures that exist and relate in it.
- In “rubbing shoulders” with IT vendors and professionals in the marketplace, we can see God work to bring salvation and transformation in people’s lives. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;…” (2 Tim 4:2)
- When an overseas missionary needs help (especially when on furlough to regroup and prepare to be sent back to the distant field), we can extend mercy and serve their technology needs–often their main connection to the support and funding that keeps them active in missions.
Join Us
Currently, we are looking for more “missionary geeks” to join our team. Team members have the opportunity to apply their skills, learn new skills, and disciple others at the same time. Some (but not all) of the areas of service include:
- Communication Systems (Phone/Messaging)
- Data Retention Systems
- Database Development
- Mobile Device Integration & Support (Android, iOS, etc.)
- Documentation
- JavaScript Coding
- Networking (Wired & Wireless)
- Purchasing & Procurement
- Server Configuration & Support
- Network & Device Security
- Technology Innovations
- User Training & Support
- Information and Reporting Systems
- Project Management
- Web Development
- Software Quality Assurance
- SQL Database/Coding
Opportunities for college credit courses and other educational courses exist while you’re serving with MissionTech. These are through local colleges as well as online educational materials.
If you would like to find out more and be involved, contact us here.